RALEIGH, N.C. — The Washington Capitals secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout at the PNC Arena on Sunday. Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper was instrumental in the win, making 28 saves, as Washington snapped their two-game losing streak and improved their record to 15-9-4.
The game was marked by tight defense and stellar goaltending on both ends. Martin Fehervary emerged as a key player for the Capitals, scoring the game-tying goal, while Evgeny Kuznetsov netted the decisive goal in the shootout.
For the Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho provided the only goal, as the team continued its struggle to find consistent form, having now lost two straight and six of their last eight games (2-4-2). Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made 20 saves in a valiant effort for Carolina, which now stands at 16-12-3.
Aho’s goal, coming at 7:41 of the second period, gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. The play was set up by Seth Jarvis, who capitalized on a clearing attempt by Trevor van Riemsdyk, feeding Aho for a one-timer in the slot.
The Capitals responded with Fehervary’s equalizer at 11:33, a snap shot that beat Kochetkov’s glove off an assist from Tom Wilson. This goal was Fehervary’s first of the season and came at a crucial juncture for Washington.
A notable aspect of the Capitals’ performance was their penalty kill, which was effective 5-for-5, including during a crucial double minor for high-sticking against Nic Dowd in the first period. This defensive resilience helped set the tone for the Capitals and kept them in contention throughout the game.
Despite having a potent power play in recent games, the Hurricanes couldn’t capitalize on their man-advantage opportunities against the Capitals. Carolina’s inability to score a power-play goal proved significant in a tightly contested matchup where every scoring opportunity mattered.
The game also saw Capitals forward T.J. Oshie scratched with a lower-body injury, while Dylan Strome extended his point streak to four games with an assist. Alex Ovechkin, despite four shots on goal, continued his goal drought, now the longest of his career at 13 games. For the Hurricanes, captain Jordan Staal endured a facial cut from Fehervary’s skate but returned in the third period.
This victory for the Capitals was a testament to their gritty, character-driven play, showcasing their ability to win tightly contested games. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, will look to regroup and address their recent form as they navigate through the season.
Looking ahead, both teams will aim to build on this game, with the Capitals seeking to maintain their momentum and the Hurricanes looking to reverse their recent fortunes.
